Celtic Champions League campaign is just around the corner, and the excitement is building up for the fans. The Scottish champions will begin their journey in the revamped league phase, facing some of the toughest teams in Europe. In this article, we will take a closer look at the teams Celtic will face, their chances of advancing to the next round, and what we can expect from Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Champions League Group Stage Draw: A Tough Road Ahead for Celtic
Celtic will start their Champions League campaign at home to Slovan Bratislava on September 18th, followed by a trip to Borussia Dortmund on October 1st. The Scottish champions will then host RB Leipzig and Club Bruges at home, before traveling to face Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb. Their final two matches will be against Young Boys and Aston Villa, with the latter being the last match of the group stage.
With the likes of Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Aston Villa in their group, Celtic will certainly face a tough challenge in the Champions League this season. However, Brendan Rodgers’ side has shown impressive form in recent seasons, and they will be looking to cause some upsets in the competition.
Huge Games to Look Forward to in the Champions League Group Stage
Some of the standout fixtures in Celtic’s Champions League group stage include their matches against Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa. The Hoops will face Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park on October 1st, in what promises to be an electric atmosphere. Dortmund, who finished as runners-up in the Champions League last season, will be a tough opponent for Celtic, but the Scottish champions will be looking to cause an upset.
Another huge game for Celtic is their match against Aston Villa at Villa Park on January 29th. Villa, who have invested heavily in their squad over the summer, will be a tough opponent for Celtic, but the Hoops will be looking to pick up a positive result to boost their chances of advancing to the next round.
The Revamped Champions League Format: What It Means for Celtic
The Champions League has undergone a significant revamp for the 2024-25 season, with the introduction of a new format. The competition will now feature an expanded group stage, with teams playing eight matches instead of six. This means that Celtic will have more opportunities to pick up points and advance to the next round.
However, the new format also means that the competition will be more grueling than ever before. With eight matches to play in the group stage, teams will have to be at their best to advance to the next round. Celtic will need to be consistent in their performances and pick up points whenever possible if they hope to advance to the knockout stages.
Young Boys and Dinamo Zagreb: Potential Banana Skins for Celtic
While Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa are the standout fixtures in Celtic’s Champions League group stage, the Hoops cannot afford to underestimate their other opponents. Young Boys and Dinamo Zagreb are two teams that could potentially cause an upset if Celtic are not at their best.
Young Boys, who have been regulars in the Champions League in recent seasons, have a reputation for causing upsets in the competition. They knocked out Manchester United in the Champions League group stage last season and will be looking to do the same against Celtic this time around.
Dinamo Zagreb, on the other hand, are one of the biggest clubs in Eastern Europe. They have a rich history in the Champions League and will be looking to cause an upset against Celtic. The Hoops will need to be at their best if they hope to pick up a positive result against the Croatian giants.
Atalanta and RB Leipzig: Tough Away Trips for Celtic
Two of the toughest away trips for Celtic in the Champions League group stage will be against Atalanta and RB Leipzig. Atalanta, who have been one of the most impressive teams in Serie A in recent seasons, will be a tough opponent for Celtic. The Italian side has a reputation for being solid at the back and clinical in front of goal, and Celtic will need to be at their best to pick up a positive result.
RB Leipzig, on the other hand, are one of the biggest clubs in Germany. They have a reputation for being solid at the back and clinical in front of goal, and Celtic will need to be at their best to pick up a positive result.
How Celtic Can Advance to the Next Round
For Celtic to advance to the next round of the Champions League, they will need to pick up points against all of their opponents. The Scottish champions will need to be consistent in their performances and take their chances whenever possible.
One of the keys to Celtic’s success in the Champions League will be their home form. The Hoops will need to pick up maximum points at home to boost their chances of advancing to the next round. Celtic Park has been a fortress for the Scottish champions in recent seasons, and they will be looking to continue this trend in the Champions League.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Celtic Champions League campaign will be an exciting one, with some huge games to look forward to. The Scottish champions will face a tough challenge in the competition, but they have the quality and depth to cause some upsets and advance to the next round. With a bit of luck and some clinical performances, Celtic can do some damage in the Champions League this season.